Labor takes hold

Three candidates are hoping to replace John Howard, but others, like Alexander Downer appear to be looking for new challenges.

Transcript

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TONY JONES: Recriminations for the Liberal opposition - revolution for the new Labor Government.

Kevin Rudd is moving to make good on his plans for an education overhaul, as the Coalition goes about electing a new leader.

Three candidates are hoping to replace John Howard, but others like Alexander Downer appear to be looking for new challenges.

And as the Liberal party dissects its devastating loss, it's already moving away from some of the major policies of the past decade.

From Canberra, Hayden Cooper reports.

HAYDEN COOPER: One revolution is out of the way, now for the other one.

(Children at school, cheering for Kevin Rudd)

The new Prime Minister chose a Brisbane high school for one of the first public jobs of his reign.

Next week's first Cabinet meeting might be almost as jubilant, and Labor's long promised education revolution will be the first matter of business. Namely, a computer terminal for every student from year nine.

KEVIN RUDD, FEDERAL PRIME MINISTER-ELECT: It's quite critical that we get that planning work started straight away. And so that will be agenda item number one.

HAYDEN COOPER: Assignments for his MPs too. They've been ordered to visit two schools each before Thursday's caucus meeting in Canberra.

KEVIN RUDD: And I'll be expecting members of the party to report back on what they have found in their communities.

HAYDEN COOPER: As Kevin Rudd's been bunkering down in Brisbane, meeting department heads, the other side of politics is imploding.

MALCOLM TURNBULL, OUTGOING MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES: We got whacked.

HAYDEN COOPER: Resignations are coming almost as fast as the leadership contenders. Today, the outgoing deputy prime minister quit, as Nationals leader.

MARK VAILE, OUTGOING NATIONAL PARTY LEADER: It's been a long ten or 11 years for my family, whilst I've been away from home. And they deserve a bit of time, and that's what I want to give them.

HAYDEN COOPER: Others are stepping forward to fill the void left by John Howard and Peter Costello.

Tony Abbott and Brendan Nelson will fight Malcolm Turnbull for the job of Opposition leader.

TONY ABBOTT, OUTGOING FEDERAL HEALTH MINISTER: I have reasonably good people skills.

BRENDAN NELSON, OUTGOING MINSTER FOR DEFENCE: It's an honour to lead the Liberal party of Australia. It's an honour to be a candidate in that field.

MALCOLM TURNBULL: We've been walloped by the electorate. But we have to get off the mat and get started.

HAYDEN COOPER: Chiming in with his thoughts, the last Labor Prime Minister.

PAUL KEATING, FORMER FEDERAL PRIME MINISTER: I fancy Malcolm is like the big red bunger. You light him up, there's a bit of a fizz, but then nothing. Nothing.

Brendan Nelson - well I liked him more when he had the ring in his ear, actually.

If they take Tony Abbott, they're just going to go back down hill. He's what I call a young fogey. Howard was the old fogey, he's the young fogey.

HAYDEN COOPER: One man who won't nominate is Alexander Downer.

ALEXANDER DOWNER, OUTGOING FOREIGN MINISTER: Some of them wanted me to stand for the leadership again, because I was very experienced and my reaction to that was that I didn't have enthusiasm for such position.

HAYDEN COOPER: The field for deputy leader is also wide. Andrew Robb, Christopher Pyne and Julie Bishop are all likely contenders.

Whoever prevails, Liberal policy post-Howard may end up looking a shadow of its former self. Already the backlash is in full swing, and senior Liberals are stepping away from some of John Howard's policies, not least - WorkChoices.

MALCOLM TURNBULL: There are a number of our policies that were very contentious and what the subject of a lot of criticism. And clearly, in many quarters, disapproval. So we have to look at all of them, take that lesson on board. We must listen to the people, and act accordingly.

TONY ABBOTT: WorkChoices for better or for worse is now in the past.

CHRISTOPHER PYNE, OUTGOING MINISTER FOR AGEING: The Liberal party is not wedded to old policies from the previous Government.

KEVIN RUDD: I thought the Australian people had a fairly clear message on that only a couple of days ago.

HAYDEN COOPER: Even Kevin Rudd's other priority - ratifying the Kyoto protocol may win the support of the new look Opposition.

MALCOLM TURNBULL: I don't think anybody can reasonably oppose that.

HAYDEN COOPER: Just who will be doing what in the Rudd Government should be known by Thursday. The ministerial wing of Parliament is being cleaned out, as the enormity of the Rudd victory becomes clear.

MAXINE MCKEW, INCOMING LABOR MP: This is now a Labor seat for the very first time.

HAYDEN COOPER: Some new comers may be in line for a rapid rise through the ranks.

MAXINE MCKEW: Kevin and I had a discussion about the contribution that I can make to the next Parliament.

HAYDEN COOPER: After 33 years of it, John Howard is staying quiet as he prepares to move on from Kirribilli.

There's not much sympathy from the man he deposed.

RADIO PRESENTER: Did you feel for him as he walked up to make that concession speech?